Using Metals

with Cherril Doty & Marsh Scott

There are a number of ways one can use various types of metals in mixed media, especially when working in 3-D. Here, we offer a few of our favorite 2-D possibilities.

Materials

• Soda can

• Clear gesso

• Fluid acrylic paints

• Thin papers (napkins, tissue, etc.)

• Mat board

• Spray paint

• Awl or large nail

• Hammer

• Candy foils

• Acrylic soft gel

• Acrylic medium

• Bone folder or spoon

• Tin wine caps

• Brads or small, short nails

• Tin snips or old scissors

• Wood substrate

• Paper or canvas (painted or unpainted)

• 1-inch brush

• Soft watercolor brush

• Scissors

• Joss papers

• Metal leaf

• Aluminum foil

Candy Foil Accents

Carefully remove the foil and eat the candy. Smooth the foil with a bone folder or spoon. If desired, cut the foil into shapes. Attach the foil pieces to your artwork with acrylic soft gel, and smooth down with your fingers.

Candy Foil Backgrounds

We like the texture provided by the folds from small square candy foil wrappers.

Step One Adhere candy foils to mat board with acrylic gel. Let dry. Next, brush clear gesso over the foils, and let dry.

Step Two Use fluid acrylic to paint over the foil. We like metallic paint with the foils. Add collage pieces if desired.

Salvaged Metals

You can use aluminum soda cans and other thin metals in a variety of interesting ways. Here is an excellent 2-D example of using a soda can.

Step One Cut the can with tin snips to whatever shape desired. Flatten and distress the can by hammering.

Step Two Brush clear gesso onto the can and let dry.

Step Three Drop fluid acrylic paints onto the can randomly, and let dry (we suggest metallic colors).

Step Four Adhere tissue, napkins, or other thin papers to the can with acrylic gel.

Step Five When dry, adhere to a wood block with small brads for a finished piece.

Joss Papers

Joss papers, or “ghost money” in Asian cultures, are paper squares with metallic silver, gold, or copper rectangles. You can paint, stamp, write, or draw on them.

Cut or tear Joss papers as desired, embellishing them with paint or marker. Use acrylic medium to apply them to your piece.

Using Metal Leaf

Make sure you are in a wind-free area when you use this technique, as metal leaf is very thin and delicate.

Step One Brush acrylic medium on your painted substrate. With clean, dry fingers, tear or cut the metal leaf and drop onto the substrate.

Step Two Using a soft watercolor brush and a light touch, brush acrylic medium over the top of the metal leaf.

Foil & Metal Rubbings

Textural aluminum pieces, when painted, can add shine and interest to your artwork. Metal also can be used to create rubbings using pastels, Conté crayons, etc.

Aluminum Textural Pieces

Step One Gather an assortment of textural pieces, such as cookie press inserts, rug backing, stencils, flat jewelry pendants, leaves, etc.

Step Two Cut a sheet of heavy foil and place on top of your items. Using fingers or a pencil eraser, gently press down to create the pattern.

Step Three Paint a small area of the foil with hobby paints. Add a few drops of thinner and with a paper towel rub across the paint.